Sterilizing-case.



n. 660,994. Patented oct. 3o, |900."

.l. a. MAsTlN.

. STERILIZING CASE.

(Application filed Jan. 11, 1900.)

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l' UNITED STATES FATENT Erice.

JAMES GRANVILLE MASTIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STERILIZING-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of-Letters Patent No. 660,994, dated October30, 190

Application filed January 1l, 1900. j Serial N o. 1.116. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that LJAMESGRANVILLE MAS- TIN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at 824 Walnut street, Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovementsin Sterilizing-Cases; and I do declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to Whichit appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to sterilizers, and is directed more particularlyto improvements in receptacles tor holding surgical and otherinstruments and vessels While being subjected to a sterilizing orantiseptic bath, the ob,- ject of the invention being the production ofa box orcasel pervious to the steriliziu g agent and constructed ofmaterial which is not affected by the agent and which is by preferencecollapsible, whereby it is foldable into a small compass when not inuse.

The nature of the invention will be readily comprehended by reference tothe following detailed description and to the accompanying drawings, inWhich- Figure l is a perspective View of a sterilizing-case embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the case in folded condition.Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the case containinginstrument-supporting trays. Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of thecorner-fastenings.

Referring to the drawings by letter, A denotes the bottom of the case; BB, the sides; C.C, the ends, and D the cover, the latter beingpreferably formed in sections. Each of the case parts is separatelyconstructed of a rectangular frame e'of stout wire, and the bottom A andsides C are provided with strengthening Wire braces o', placed atintervals. The case parts, to be pervions to the sterilizing agent, aremade preferably ot' woven Wire suiiiciently heavy to resist the strainto which it is subjected. The material of the woven Wire is bypreference aluminium; but other metals which are unalected by thesterilizing agent may be employed-eas, for instance, copper. The sidesand ends are hinged to the bottom, and the top sections are hinged tothe sides, the preferred form of hinges being rings f, Which encircleadjacent frame-Wires e. Any other suitable form of hinge may obviouslybeemployed. This sectional construction enables the case to be folded asshown in Fig. 2, and When'in such collapsed condition it occupies butlittle space and-may be readily conveyed from place to place withoutinconvenience. When set up for use, the sides and ends are securedtogether, the preferred fastening means consisting of pins g at theupper corners ot' the ends, Which enter holes h in the upper corners ofthe sides, and to maintain the engagement springcatches i are providedon the ends, lwhich catches have an inturned ende', which contacts withthe end of the pin and holds the side against movement. By lifting thespring-catch the end of-the pin is uncovered, and the side is thus freeto be disengaged from the pin. Y

The case is provided with short legs j j to su pport itfree from contactwith septic surfaces or objects. These legs, which may be formed bybending the Wire of the frame, as shown in Fig. 3, are disposed at thecorners of and centrally of the bottom, whereby the latter is prevented'from sagging under the Weight of the contents. At eachend of the caseare chain-bridles lato which is attached a chain k. This chain affords aready means for lowering the case intoand, raising it from thesterilizi'ng-bath.

L L denote trays which are suspended in the case to afford supports forthe instruments or vessels, but which may also'be employed in lieu ofthe case in subjecting the instruments or vessels to the action of theThe trays, of which there may be agent.

tWoor more, are each constructed of Woven Wire strengthened by a stoutwire framework, and the edges of the tray are ofsuflicient height toaccommodate a number of instrui ments or vessels. For economy of spacethe trays are made to it one within the other, and chains m are employedto. connect the trays and to aord means by which they may be loweredinto the caseor into the bath When they are used in lieu of the case.

When Vnot in use, the case and trays in a folded state are packed in asurgeons, den- IOO tists, or other bag or receptacle where but littlespace is taken up and little Weight added; but when set up the case andtrays afford space for a comparatively large number ofinstruments,vessels, and the like,which constitute its contents. Inusing the case it, with the contents, is lowered into thesterilizing-bath-for instance, hot Water-and after immersion for theproper length of time the case is raised and the instruments taken outfor use. The material of the case being pervious the agent enters it atall points and comes into contact with the contents, thoroughlysterilizing them, and when the case is removed from the bath thecontents are drained of the agent, as will be understood..

rlhe simplicity of the case precludes disorder and enables itsconstruction at a low cost. The sectional construction which permits offolding enables the cases to be shipped ata low cost by reason of thesmall space which it will occupy.

I claim as my inventionl. A collapsible sterilizing-case constructed ofwoven wire having a bottom, and sides and ends hinged to the bottom tobe folded thereagainst, catches at the upper corners of the sides andends to secure them together when set up, said catches each comprising apin adapted to pass through an aperture, an d a spring removablycovering the end of the pin, a top hinged lo the case side, trays ofpervious material adapted to fit one within the other and to besuspended in the case when set up, and a flexible handle for the ease.

2. A collapsible sterilizing-caseconstructed ot' non-oxidizable wovenwire having a bottom strengthened at intervals and provided withsupporting-legs, and sides and ends hinged to the bottom to be foldedthereagainst, catches at the upper corners of the sides and ends tosecure them together when set up, said catches each comprising a pin ona case end adapted to pass through an opening in a case side, and aspring removably covering the end of the pin, a top formed in sectionseach of which is hinged to a case side, woven* Wire trays adapted to fitone within the other, chains to suspend the trays at different planes inthe case when set up, and a flexible handle for the case.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES GRANVILLE MASTIN.

Witnessesz HENRY E. OooNLEY, W. A. CANN.

